Chakrit Yamnam, Tata Young, On Sripan and Liu Manasvee came together to attend the funeral of Re McDonald or Re McDonald at Wat Yang Royal Monastery, opening up about the friendship among the cast from the film O-Negative after Re's passing. Everyone acknowledged that although the film ended long ago, their friendship has endured to this day.
Could you share about the bond this group of friends had with Re? What was it like working together on O-Negative?
Liu Manasvee: That was also my first film. It was the first time I met everyone except Tata. I felt like I was meeting new people who had strong individuality and were very skilled actors, acting naturally. It made me learn a lot from them. After filming, everyone would watch and say, “Wow, why do you act so well?” We spent a lot of time together because each week we had to attend workshops, so we were together a lot during that period.
Did Re serve as a role model for the others in acting?
Liu Manasvee: Everyone had their own character, and Re had his own unique character too. He acted perfectly suited to his role. I think no one could replace him.
What about you, Tata? How was it working together at that time?
Tata Young: It was... (pauses) one of the best memories in my life. Because I had the O group friends, and one of those was Re McDonald. Then there was me, Re, Chakrit, and everyone here. Like what P’ Liu just said, we spent a lot of time together. It was a time when we were young, with many good memories and strong bonds. This film wasn’t just about friendship; as actors, we truly became friends and really loved each other... truly (voice breaks).
So this film was the beginning of a long-lasting, loving friendship?
Tata Young: Yes, it was strange because we all came from different places, but once we were together, there was some chemistry you don’t get often. Even after a long time apart, when we meet again, it feels like...
Chakrit: We just don’t stop talking.
Tata Young: We just keep talking and understand each other. I dare say this group of friends never fought, never felt hurt or upset. It’s a comfortable friendship where we understand everything about each other.
So something must have drawn you all together, being friends without ever fighting?
Tata Young: There must be something special that brought us together, a kind of destiny or blessing. We never fought at all.
Chakrit: Work brought us together. Even after the film ended, the friendship continued.
On Sripan: There was no time for fights because we lived together, sometimes sleeping on the street. We had to be united for the work. We had fun during our youth. I was very happy to meet the superstars I admired; even now, I still sing their songs. Chakrit and Re were already close. On, Re, and Chakrit came from Teen Talk School and met here. P’ Liu also joined here. There was no time to fight, only fun and happiness.
Chakrit: It was a wonderful, strange meeting. The friendship seen on screen is still immortal and continues today.
On Sripan: Yes, and every day was different, especially P’ Re.
How was he? Tell us about his side...
On Sripan: P’ Re was... determined, sharp, and never the same on any day, especially during the seaside scenes (laughs). Same with P’ Chakrit. You wouldn’t find him in the bedroom; you’d find him by the sea. That’s his charm.
Tata Young: Sitting outside.
On Sripan: (turns to Tata) With your mother, Khun Banchorn.
Tata Young: Now he’s with his mother. Now he’s with his mother.
Chakrit Yamnam: Waiting to shoot the morning light.
On Sripan: Waiting well, no, we have to wait by the sea like this, lying down.
Tata Young: This is still good. This one is sitting; that one is lying down.
On Sripan: That one lies down, letting the sea water wash over him. He’s been like this forever. No one’s like him, and now he’s gone from this world.
Tata Young: He was thoughtful. Sometimes when he’d ask questions, he couldn’t answer himself, like, “Do you think it’s like that?” He was artistic—truly artistic, just like his character in the film.
Chakrit described their relationship as special and strange. Why do the group define it this way?
Chakrit: I think we were lucky that everyone was themselves. We used sincerity and heart to get to know and work with each other until we became closer than the script. Our closeness went beyond acting into daily life, becoming a group of friends. Even if we meet rarely, when we do, it feels like we just saw each other yesterday.
On Sripan: Looking back at that time, it was very happy. Happiness that today can’t be given anymore. It’s gone. It was so much fun, no social media. We would roll around anywhere.
Tata Young: Yes, because if you turned, you’d see each other. We had to talk, invite each other to eat. We had to eat together on set because we had to shoot and enter scenes together.
On Sripan: When I called Tata yesterday, it took her a long time to realize it was true. We talked for a long time. After hanging up, she called back saying, “Amita, at first I thought you called to talk about singing his songs on stage, but no, it was to tell me he has passed away. Re is no longer here.”
Tata Young: At first, I was shocked, like, wait, who? Then I realized it was Re McDonald.
On Sripan: Yes. It took 19 calls to believe it was true. I didn’t dare call Chakrit but told P’ Liu.
Liu Manasvee: Tata cried a lot, couldn’t continue crying, had to be comforted slowly because it was a heavy sadness.
Asked about her Instagram post saying she never had the chance to apologize?
Tata Young: Yes, when I think about that scene with Chakrit, I remember we rehearsed that scene over and over. That scene with Re was the first scene we cast together. We developed that scene together. On the day of filming, I felt like we truly loved each other, we were real friends, this was our group. We pushed and played for real, every moment. Watching it now, I realize I pushed my friend hard and made him fall for real. That part wasn’t supposed to be that rough, so I feel bad I never apologized to him in person.
So this is a small regret, that you never got to apologize face-to-face?
Tata Young: When someone passes, you think about all the things you didn’t say or do for that friend.
Did you get a chance to apologize when you visited inside?
Tata Young: I apologized as soon as I realized it yesterday. I sat alone. The only one who could comfort me was my child, who came to wipe my tears and said, “Mommy loves him a lot, right? He’s your best friend, right? Mommy loves him so much.”
What made you love Re the most?
Tata Young: Everything. No one is like him. No one else is like that.
On Sripan: He was lovely. His personality was lovely. I feel that today and every day from now on, many will come because wherever he goes, with Chakrit too, people love him. Maybe he was a bit stubborn, a little mischievous, but at heart, Re was kind-hearted and compassionate. No matter where we are, alive or not, people will always love Re. He was very sweet.
Heard that Tata asked Re to give hugs to his parents?
Tata Young: Yes, Tata was quite close to Re’s mother. She really loved him. They were like three together. During times like this, Tata wasn’t with them; I was with P’ On and P’ Liu, the girls’ group, going to find mangoes or something to eat.
On Sripan: Besides looking for mangoes, we were gossiping about this group too.
Tata Young: They would be together. I just hope they get to meet because I want Re’s parents to come and receive him. I actually knew both his father and mother but was closer to his mother. I hope they meet.
Anything Liu wants to say to Re?
Liu Manasvee: He worked hard since he was a kid without breaks, as if he couldn’t stop. He kept doing something until he built his own family. Maem was the person he loved a lot. He liked her for a long time but only pursued her when he was older, and it took time before they became a couple. Eventually, they got together, had a happy family with one child. During that time, he was very happy and kept working nonstop. Now he can rest. He was very tired.
Looking back at old photos from the film, do you want to do anything new related to the movie to remember Re?
Chakrit: I think it’s already perfect. Better to leave it as it is because what we gained from that is our ongoing relationship. That is what matters.
On Sripan: Because if we remade it without Re, it wouldn’t be complete. It ended there.
Tata Young: In real life, it has to be like this. It’s only a matter of sooner or later. Now, what I try to tell myself, and I believe Re would want everyone to do, is to smile and move on. Because he was that kind of person—positive thinking. He’d say, “Hey, don’t be sad for long.” I can hear his voice: “Hey, no, let’s not do that. No, move on. I’m gone.” I try to keep smiling, though I still miss him. I will miss him forever and try to recover quickly—for Re and for all of us.
Click to read
Entertainment NewsMore